Leeds made the short trip to the Keepmoat Stadium for the much anticipated local derby. On a very blustery evening it was all set for a tight encounter.
On entering the ground and seeing the players warming up my first thought was whose out there? No Prutton (oh dear), no Marques (oh s**t), no Kenton (hurray), Richardson back (hurray). So Mcallister had obviously realised that Marques as been carrying Kenton since coming back from the African nations and couldn’t afford to have him in the team tonight.
A full house greeted the teams onto the pitch, the game kicked off and Doncaster controlled the game with quick one touch passing around the Leeds players. Ankergren was keeping Leeds in the game for the first fifteen minutes and made good saves at the feet of Heffernan and Coppinger. Michalik was continuously being caught on his heels and Rovers were getting in behind him on a regular basis.
Leeds started to get into the game and won a free kick around 25 yards from goal to the left of the goal. Kilkenny and Sheehan stood over the free kick and it was probably more suited to a right footer. Sheehan came up and struck a wonderful free kick that went across Sullivan and into the far corner of the net. I was sat directly behind the ball and you could see that from the moment it was over the wall Sullivan didn’t stand a chance. This seemed to knock the stuffing out of Doncaster a bit and a good chance fell to Howson just inside the box but he volleyed it straight at the keeper.
Moments later a good sweeping move from left to right from Leeds was finished off with a wonderful ball across the box from Freedman, only a last ditch clearance form a Rovers defender stopped Johnson tapping into an open goal. Rovers then had a good chance to equalise; a corner was swung over and met with a bullet header which Kilkenny cleared off the line. Half time came with Leeds still a goal to the good.
Doncaster came out for the second half and had obviously had a blast from the manager because from the kick off they came very close to equalising. Doncaster continued to bombard the Leeds goal and Roberts missed an open goal when he ballooned it over from six yards. Leeds were having to sit back and try and weather the storm with Doncaster continuing to pile on the pressure. Leeds fans tried to gee the players up a bit with cries of ‘attack, attack, attack attack attack!’
The second half continued much the same with only Beckford really managing to get the ball in attack and try and slow the game down. I actually thought Leeds looked much the more likely team to score the next goal, they were working well on the break and Beckford was causing Rovers problems at the back.
Doncaster could have played till next Tuesday and still wouldn’t have found the net!! it was one of those night for them. Leeds defended heroically and Ankergren didn’t really have a save to make in the second half with Leeds throwing bodies in front of everything.
A great victory for Leeds and firmly puts them back into the play off reckoning.
Player Ratings
Ankergren 7/10
Made a few great saves to keep Leeds in the game first half. Distribution was again poor much to the frustration of McAllister.
Richardson 7/10
Great to see him back in his usual position and hopefully he will keep his place for the rest of the season. Worked well with Kilkenny down the right and it was great to see a full back again who could overlap and get to the bye line.
Michalik 5/10
Again looked shaky at the back, was given ten yards start by the Rovers forward yet was still outpaced. Thankfully Ankergren now realises he’s wearing lead boots!
Huntington 7/10
Looked rusty for the first fifteen minutes but soon got into the game. Continuously put his body on the line to keep out Rovers shots.
Sheehan 7/10
Fantastic free kick and defended well. Did keep giving away silly free kicks though in dangerous positions.
Kilkenny 6/10
Worked well with Richardson down the right but had to spend most of the game helping out the defence.
Howson 8/10
My man of the match, with Douglas back in the side he was allowed to push further forward. Had a few good chances and most things that were good from Leeds came through him.
Douglas 7/10
Great to see him back, winning tackles and breaking up play. Should be in from the start for the rest of the season now.
Johnson 6/10
Worked hard and helped out the front men when possible.
Freedman 6/10
A few good moments in the first half but was almost invisible in the second half with very little ball coming to him.
Beckford 6/10
Quiet first half but in the second he worked his socks off to try and help out Leeds from the constant pressure they was under.
Thanks Dazza!
Many thanks go to Dazza71 for yet another great match report!
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